Electronic device quick connect system

ABSTRACT

A quick connect system for an electronic device, comprising a docking station configured to engage the electronic device, the docking station having a locking mechanism actuatable to an unlocked position, the locking mechanism configured to independently remain in the unlocked position and automatically return to a locking position in response to disengagement of the electronic device from the docking station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic devices, such as computer display devices, are oftentimesdisposed behind or near the back of a desk, against a wall and/ormounted back to back. As a result, such computer displays are difficultto install, and access to the computer displays for maintenance, repair,etc., is inhibited. This is especially true in instances where arrays ofcomputer displays are disposed in close proximity to each other toprovide a multi-display and/or composited graphical presentation.Accordingly, quick release mechanisms have been devised to more easilymount the display devices. However, these mechanisms are difficult toactuate, and installing and/or making wired connections to the displaydevices remains cumbersome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theobjects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a quick connect systemin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a portion of the quick connect systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another portion of the quick connectsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the quick connectsystem of FIG. 1 in a locked position;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the quick connectsystem of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position;

FIG. 6 a is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of an embodiment ofa docking station of the quick connect system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 b is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of anotherembodiment of a docking station of the device quick connect system ofFIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a quick connectsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the quick connectsystem of FIG. 7 in an unlocked position;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged view of the quick connectsystem of FIG. 7 in a locked position;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a quick connectsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 a is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an integrallyformed guide element disposed on an electronic device in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 11 b is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an attachableelectronic device guide element in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a quick connectsystem in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a quick connectsystem in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention and the advantagesthereof are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-12 b of thedrawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts ofthe various drawings.

FIGS. 1-3 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a quick connectsystem 12 for an electronic device 8 in accordance with the presentinvention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 electronic device8 comprises a display device 10; however, it should be understood thatelectronic device 8 can comprise other devices, such as, but not limitedto, thin client computing devices, ceiling projectors, table projectors,plasma and liquid crystal display televisions, printers, and/or anyother electronic devices. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,quick connect system 12 comprises a docking station 14 configured tocooperate with an adapter 16 coupled to display device 10. In someembodiments of the present invention, adapter 16 is used to convert astandard display device, such as, but not limited to, a flat panelliquid crystal display (“LCD”) 18, to a readily dockable display device10. Docking station 14 is preferably configured to be attached to asupport structure 20 such as, for example, a multi-display supportstructure 22. However, it should be understood that support structure 20may comprise any other type of structure for supporting display device10, such as, but not limited to, a display arm, a desktop flat paneldisplay stand, a wall and/or a table.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, multi-display supportstructure 22 comprises a mounting plate 24 disposed on a support member26. Docking station 14 comprises a plurality of openings 28 (FIG. 3)adapted to align with corresponding openings 30 located on mountingplate 24 to enable attachment of mounting plate 24 to docking station 14(e.g., using screws or other attachment devices). In some embodiments ofthe present invention, openings 28 and 30 are configured in accordancewith spacing guidelines implemented by the Video Electronics StandardsAssociation (“VESA”). It should be further understood that dockingstation 14 may be configured to be directly couplable to and/or integralwith multi-display support structure 22 (e.g., formed as a singleintegral structure by welding, bonding, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 2, adapter 16 comprises a plurality of mountingopenings 46 located to correspond with threaded openings on a rearsurface 10 r of display device 10 to couple adapter 16 to display device10 (e.g., by screws 48). Thus, embodiments of the present inventioneffectively convert display device 10 to a dockable display device 10for engagement with docking station 14 (FIG. 1) by use of adapter 16. Apower cable 50 and data input/output 52 and 54 communicatively coupleadapter 16 to display device 10. It should be understood that othertypes of connections and/or communications may be provided betweenadapter 16 and display device 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.2, adapter 16 comprises at least one connector 56 configured tocommunicatively engage a corresponding connector 58 located on dockingstation 14 (FIG. 3). Referring to FIG. 3, power is supplied to dockingstation 14 through cable 32 from a remote power source, and datainput/output signals (e.g., analog and/or digital video and/or non-videocommunications) are transmitted through cables 34 and 36 between dockingstation 14 and another computer device or other data content source.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, docking station 14 isconfigured to be communicatively couplable to adapter 16, and adapter 16is configured to be communicatively couplable to display device 10.Accordingly, power, data input/output signals and other types ofcommunications are provided to display device 10 via docking station 14and adapter 16. Embodiments of the present invention enable suchcommunications between docking station 14 and display device 10 inresponse to docking of display device 10 (with adapter 16) to dockingstation 14 (e.g., engagement of connectors 56 and 58 in response todocking of computer device 10/adapter 16 to docking station 14).

Referring to FIG. 2, adapter 16 comprises a guide element 60 configuredto cooperate with and/or otherwise engage a corresponding guide element62 disposed on docking station 14 (FIG. 3). In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, guide element 60 comprises a dovetail guideelement 60 configured to engage and/or otherwise cooperate with acorresponding dovetail guide element 62 on docking station 14 (FIG. 3).However, it should be understood that guide elements 60 and 62 may beotherwise configured (e.g., having other complementary shapes and/orcooperating elements). The dovetail configuration of guide elements 60and 62 substantially prevents disengagement of adapter 16 and dockingstation 16 in the directions indicated generally by arrows 68 a, 68 b,68 c and 68 d in FIG. 2. However, it should be understood that guideelements 60 and 62 may be otherwise cooperatively configured. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, guide element 60 is integral formed onadapter 16 (i.e., formed as a single, unitary structure). However, itshould be understood that guide element 60 may be configured to be aseparate component attachable to adapter 16.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, system 12 comprises alocking mechanism 38 to releasably secure adapter 16 (with displaydevice 10) to docking station 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1-3, locking mechanism 38 comprises a locking arm 40 that is preferablybiased in a generally upright position when in a locked condition. Thus,in operation, locking arm 40 is movable in the directions indicated byarrows 42 or 44 (FIG. 3) to unlock locking mechanism 38, therebyenabling adapter 16/display device 10 to be lifted and/or moved upwardlyrelative to docking station 14 to disengage adapter 16/display device 10from docking station 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, docking station 14 comprises a base member 70 and amounting wall 72 extending upwardly from base member 70. Mounting wall72 is used to couple docking station 14 to multi-display supportstructure 22 (FIG. 1) or another structure. For example, openings 28 onmounting wall 72 are preferably configured to align with openings 30 onmounting plate 24 (FIG. 1) to enable a plurality of bolts 75 to securedocking station 14 to multi-display support structure 22. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, guide element 62 is disposed adjacentmounting wall 64 to correspondingly engage guide element 60 on adapter16 (FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 3, locking arm 40 of docking station 14 is movablealong a track 80 of docking station 14 in the directions indicated by 42and 44. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, locking arm 40comprises an extension 86 having a sloped top surface 88 and is flexibleto enable slideable engagement with recessed areas 94, 104 a and 104 bof guide element 60 of adapter 16 (FIG. 2). Locking arm 40 furthercomprises a bottom surface 90 adapted to engage a bottom wall 92 ofrecessed area 94 of adapter 16 (FIG. 2) when extension 86 is disposedwithin recessed area 94. Recessed areas 104 a and 104 b of guide element60 comprise open bottom portions 106 a or 106 b, respectively, to enabledisengagement of extension 86 of locking arm 40 therefrom in response todisengagement of adapter 16 from docking station 14 (described furtherbelow).

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of lockingmechanism 38 of the quick connect system 12 of FIGS. 1-3 in the lockedand unlocked positions, respectively. Referring to FIG. 4, locking arm40 is disposed in the locked position to securely fasten adapter 16 todocking station 14. In the locked position, locking arm 40 is positionedin a generally upright position such that extension 86 of locking arm 40is disposed within recessed area 94 of adapter 16, and bottom surface 90of extension 86 contacts and/or otherwise engages bottom wall 92 ofrecessed area 94, thereby preventing separation of adapter 16 fromdocking station 14 (e.g., preventing movement of adapter 16 in thedirection indicated by generally by arrow 96 relative to docking station14).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, locking mechanism 38comprises a locking assembly 98 disposed on locking arm 40 to securelyfasten locking arm 40 in a fixed position relative to adapter 16,thereby preventing movement of locking arm 40 along track 80 andpreventing inadvertent disengagement of docking station 14 and adapter16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, locking arm 40comprises a notch 97 for receiving an upper surface 99 of track 80therein to facilitate slideable engagement of locking arm 40 with track80. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, locking assembly 98comprises a recess 100 formed at a medial location on upper surface 99of track 80 for cooperating with a fastener 102 insertable through anupper portion 101 of locking arm 40. In operation, fastener 102 isinsertable through upper portion 101 of locking arm 40 and into recess100, thereby securing locking arm 40 in a fixed position relative totrack 80. In some embodiments of the present invention, fastener 102comprises a security screw requiring a special key/tool to lock orunlock. However, it should be understood that other methods and/ordevices may be used to secure locking arm 40 in a fixed or lockedposition, and it should be understood that other locations of track 80(e.g., other than a medial location) may be used for securing lockingarm 40 in a fixed position.

In operation, fastener 102 is loosened and/or removed, thereby enablingslideable movement of locking arm 40 relative to track 80 in thedirections indicated by arrows 42 and 44. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, inresponse to movement of locking arm 40 in the direction indicated byarrow 42, extension 86 travels along a ramp 94 a to flex locking arm 40in order to disengage recessed area 94 and engage adjacently positionedchannel 104 a, thereby positioning locking arm 40 in an unlockedposition. In response to upward movement of adapter 16/display device 10in the direction indicated by 96 relative to docking station 14,extension 86 exits chamber 104 a through open bottom portion 106 a,thereby facilitating disengagement of adapter 16/display device 10 fromdocking station 14. In response to movement of extension 86 through openbottom portion 106 a and out of channel 104 a, locking arm 40 is biased,and thereby automatically returns, to a generally upright or lockingposition to facilitate re-engagement of docking station with adapter16/display device 10. It should be understood that the above-describedcooperation of locking arm 40 and channel 104 a also applies to channel104 b in response to movement of locking arm 40 in the directionindicated by arrow 44. Correspondingly, to engage adapter 16/displaydeice 10 to docking station 14, guide element 60 of adapter 16 (FIG. 2)is slid downwardly in a direction opposite that indicated by 96 (FIGS. 4and 5) into engagement with guide element 62 of docking station 14 (FIG.3) to a position where extension 86 engages recessed area 94 and bottomsurface 90 of extension 86 engages bottom wall 92 of recessed area 94,thereby securing adapter 16/display device 10 to docking station 14.

FIG. 6 a is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of an embodiment ofdocking station 14 in accordance with the present invention. In theillustrated embodiment, locking arm 40 is biased in a generally uprightposition with respect to docking station 14 by a biasing mechanism 106.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 a, biasing mechanism 106comprises a spring 108, such as, but not limited to, a torsion spring108T having first and second end portions 108 a and 108 b to engage apair of shoulders 110 and 112 on locking arm 40 and shoulders 113 and115 on mounting wall 72. Locking arm 40 is pivotally coupled to basemember 70 about a pin 109, and a center portion 111 of spring 108 isdisposed over pin 109. In operation, first and second end portions 108 aand 108 b exert a force on shoulders 110, 112, 113 and 115, to biaslocking arm 40 in a generally upright position so that extension 86aligns with and is otherwise readily insertable within recessed area 94of adapter 16 (FIG. 2) during installation of adapter 16/display device10 with docking station 14. In response to movement of locking arm 40 inthe directions indicated by either arrows 42 or 44, shoulders 110 and115 (if locking arm 40 is moved in the direction of arrow 42) orshoulders 112 and 113 (if locking arm 40 is moved in the direction ofarrow 44) compress spring 108, thereby causing a corresponding force tobe applied to shoulder 110 or 112 to bias locking arm 40 in a generallyupright position.

FIG. 6 b is a diagram illustrating an exploded view of anotherembodiment of docking station 14 in accordance with the presentinvention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 b, biasing mechanism106 comprises a pair flexible arms 114 and 116 configured to engage atab 118 on locking arm 40 to maintain locking arm 40 generally uprightwith respect to docking station 16. In response to movement of lockingarm 40 in either of the directions indicated by 42 and 44, flexible arms114 or 116 deflect and cause a corresponding force to be applied to tab118 to bias locking arm 40 toward an upright position.

FIGS. 7-9 are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of quick connectsystem 12 in accordance with the present invention. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7-9, locking mechanism 38 comprises a cam arm 120coupled to locking arm 40 by a cam 146, and a pair of extension members122 and 124 configured to cooperate with and/or otherwise be insertableinto respective recessed areas 126 and 128 formed on guide element 60 ofadapter 16. It should be understood that locking mechanism 38 andadapter 16 may be configured having a greater or fewer quantity ofextension members and respective recessed areas. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7-9, locking mechanism 38 also comprises a slider136 biased upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 150 towards cam146 by a biasing mechanism 134 (e.g., a spring clip). In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7-9, slider 136 comprises a pair of slots 138 and140 configured to cooperate with and/or otherwise receive pins 142 and144 extending from respective extension members 122 and 124. Cam 146 isconfigured to engage a top surface 148 of slider 136 to move slider 136in the directions indicated by arrows 150 and 152. For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, rotation of cam 146 in thedirection of arrow 132 causes movement of slider 136 in the directionindicated by arrow 150 caused by biasing element 134 and a reduction ina profile of cam 146. Correspondingly, rotation of cam 146 in adirection opposite that indicated by arrow 132 causes movement of slider136 in the direction indicated by arrow 152. Further, the cooperation ofpins 142 and 144 with slots 138 and 140, respectively, causes extensionand retraction of extension members 122 and 124. For example, referringto FIGS. 8 and 9, in response to movement of slider 136 in directionindicated by arrow 150, slots 138 and 140 are correspondingly moved inthe direction indicated by arrow 150, thereby causing 142 and 144 to beforced outwardly in the directions indicated by arrows 158 and 159 andcausing extension of extension members 122 and 124.

Thus, in response to slideable engagement of guide element 60 with guideelement 62, an interior portion of a recess 130 formed on guide element62 engages cam arm 120, thereby causing cam arm 120 to move in thedirection indicated generally by arrow 132. In response to movement ofcam arm 120 in the direction indicated by arrow 132, locking arm 40moves in the direction of arrow 44 and extension arms 122 and 124automatically extend from a retracted position (FIG. 8) to an extendedposition (FIG. 9) into recessed areas 126 and 128 of guide element 60(FIG. 7). In some embodiments of the present invention, a set screw 102is used on locking arm 40 to lock and/or otherwise prevent movement oflocking arm 40 (and cam arm 120), thereby maintaining locking mechanism38 in the locked position to prevent inadvertent retraction of extensionmembers 122 and 124. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, guideelement 60 comprises a separate element attachable to adapter 16.However, it should be understood that guide element 62 illustrated inFIG. 7 may be formed integrally with adapter 16 and/or display device 10(i.e., formed as an integral, unitary structure).

It should be understood that disengagement of adapter 16/display device10 from docking station 14 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 isobtained by a reverse operation of the above description. For example,after loosening and/or removal of set screw 102, and in response tomovement of adapter 16/display device 10 in the direction indicated byarrow 150 relative to docking station 14, an interior portion of recess130 of guide element 60 (FIG. 7) engages cam arm 120, thereby causingmovement of cam arm 120 in the direction indicated by arrow 133. Inresponse to movement of cam arm 130 in the direction indicated by arrow133, cam 146 engages surface 148 of slider and moves slider 136 in thedirection of arrow 152, thereby causing retraction of extension members122 and 124 (FIGS. 8 and 9). Further, it should also be understood thatguide element 60, recessed areas 126 and 128, and recess 130 may beformed integrally with rear surface 1Or (FIGS. 2 and 7) of displaydevice 10 (i.e., formed as a single, unitary structure).

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of quick connectsystem 12 in accordance with the present invention. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10, guide element 62 of docking station 14 compriseshooks 170 configured to engage corresponding recesses 172 of guideelement 60 formed on rear surface 16 r of adapter 16. In FIG. 10, fourhooks 170 are illustrated. However, it should be understood that agreater or fewer quantity of hooks 170 and corresponding recesses 172may be used. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, locking mechanism38 comprises a retractable extension 162 configured to cooperate withand/or otherwise be insertable into an opening 164 formed on dockingstation 14. A lever 166 is coupled to extension 162 to causeextension/retraction of extension 162. In operation, after engagement ofadapter 16/display device 10 with docking station 14 (e.g., in responseto hooks 170 being inserted into corresponding recesses 172, lever 166is actuated to cause extension of extension 162 into opening 164 to lockor secure adapter 16/display device 10 to docking station. Reverseactuation of lever 166 causes retraction of extension member 162 fromopening 164, thereby facilitating disengagement of adapter 16/displaydevice 10 from docking station 14.

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b are diagrams illustrating another embodiment ofquick connect system 12 in accordance with the present invention. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 a, display device 10 is configured tobe directly coupled to docking station 14 (i.e., without adapter 16).Display device 10 comprises guide element 60 formed integrally (i.e., asa single, unitary structure) with rear surface 10 r of display device 10to engage corresponding guide element 62 on docking station 14. Inoperation, guide element 60 is aligned with and inserted ontocorresponding guide element 62 of docking station 14 as described above.It should be understood that in some embodiments of the presentinvention, docking station 14 is configured with connector 58 (e.g.,FIG. 3) and display device 10 is configured having connector 56 tofacilitate communicative coupling of display device 10 to dockingstation 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 b, guide element 60is configured as a separate element attachable to rear surface 1 Or ofdisplay device 10 to enable display device 10 to be coupled with dockingstation 14.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of quick connectsystem 12 in accordance with the present invention. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 12, docking station 14 is illustrated without basemember 70 and corresponding connector 58, thereby accommodating wirelesselectronic device 8 applications and/or connecting of electronic devices8 to other computer systems or data content sources using other methods.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, docking station 14 compriseslocking mechanism 38, as discussed above, to releasably secure displaydevice 10 to support structure 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.12.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of quick connectsystem 12 in accordance with the present invention. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 13, docking station 14 is illustrated without basemember 70 and corresponding connector 58, thereby accommodating wirelesselectronic device 8 applications and/or connecting of electronic devices8 to other computer systems or data content sources using other methods.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, docking station 14 is disposedon a flat panel display stand 174. It should be understood that quickconnect system 12 may be otherwise disposed, including, but not limitedto, on a display arm, a wall and/or a table.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a quick connectsystem 12 that is configurable to readily transform a non-dockableelectronic device 8 to a dockable electronic device 8. In addition,embodiments of the present invention enable display device 10 having aguide element 60 configured to cooperatively engage a complementaryguide element 62 of quick connect system 12 to releasably couple displaydevice 10 to docking quick connect system 12. Further, embodiments ofthe present invention provide a quick connect system 12 having a lockingmechanism 38 actuatable from a locked position to an unlocked positionsuch that locking mechanism 38 is configured to independently remain inthe unlocked position and automatically return to a locking position inresponse to disengagement of the electronic device 8 from dockingstation 14, thereby enabling easier docking and undocking of the displaydevice 10.

1. A quick connect system for an electronic device, comprising: adocking station configured to engage the electronic device, the dockingstation having a locking mechanism actuatable to an unlocked position,the locking mechanism configured to independently remain in the unlockedposition and automatically return to a locking position in response todisengagement of the electronic device from the docking station.
 2. Thequick connect system of claim 1, wherein the docking station comprises aguide element configured to engage a corresponding guide elementdisposed on the electronic device.
 3. The quick connect system of claim1, wherein the docking station comprises a dovetail guide elementconfigured to engage a corresponding dovetail guide element disposed onthe electronic device.
 4. The quick connect system of claim 1, whereinthe locking mechanism comprises locking arm movable relative to thedocking station to release the electronic device from the dockingstation.
 5. The quick connect system of claim 1, wherein the lockingmechanism comprises at least one extension member configured tocooperatively engage a corresponding recess disposed on the electronicdevice.
 6. The quick connect system of claim 1, wherein the lockingmechanism comprises at least one retractable extension member to securethe electronic device to the docking station.
 7. The quick connectsystem of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking armactuatable to move the locking system between a locked position and anunlocked position.
 8. The quick connect system of claim 1, wherein thelocking mechanism comprises a locking arm having an extension forengaging a recessed area disposed on the electronic device.
 9. The quickconnect system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises alocking assembly for securing a locking arm of the locking mechanism ina fixed position relative to the docking station.
 10. The quick connectsystem of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking armbiased to a locked position relative to the docking station.
 11. Thequick connect system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprisesa cam movable to cause engagement of an extension member of the dockingstation with the electronic device.
 12. The quick connect system ofclaim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking arm biased ina locked position when the electronic device is removed from the dockingstation.
 13. A quick connect system for an electronic device,comprising: a docking means configured to engage the electronic device,the docking means having a locking means actuatable to an unlockedposition, the locking means configured to independently remain in theunlocked position and automatically return to a locking position inresponse to disengagement of the electronic device from the dockingmeans.
 14. The quick connect system of claim 13, wherein the lockingmeans comprises an arm means biased to a locked position relative to thedocking means.
 15. The quick connect system of claim 13, wherein thelocking means comprises at least one extendable means configured toengage the electronic device.
 16. The quick connect system of claim 13,wherein the locking means comprises a means actuatable to configure thelocking means between a locked position and an unlocked position. 17.The quick connect system of claim 13, wherein the locking meanscomprises means for preventing actuation of the locking means.
 18. Amethod of manufacturing a quick connect system for an electronic device,comprising: providing a docking station configured to engage theelectronic device, the docking station having a locking mechanismactuatable to an unlocked position, the locking mechanism configured toindependently remain in the unlocked position and automatically returnto a locking position in response to disengagement of the electronicdevice from the docking station.
 19. The quick connect system of claim18, further comprising configuring the locking mechanism having alocking arm biased to a locked position relative to the docking station.20. The quick connect system of claim 18, further comprising configuringthe locking mechanism having at least one extension member for engagingthe electronic device.
 21. The quick connect system of claim 18, furthercomprising configuring the locking mechanism having a locking armactuatable to configure the locking system between a locked position andan unlocked position.
 22. The quick connect system of claim 18, furthercomprising configuring the locking mechanism having a retractableextension member for engaging the electronic device.
 23. The quickconnect system of claim 18, further comprising providing a lockingassembly for preventing actuation of the locking assembly.
 24. The quickconnect system of claim 18, further comprising configuring the lockingmechanism having a cam for causing extension of at least one member ofthe locking mechanism into engagement with the electronic device. 25.The quick connect system of claim 18, further comprising configuring thelocking mechanism having a locking arm biased in a locked position whenthe electronic device is removed from the docking station.